School
Board sets levy for same amount as last yearThe School Board, in a special Budget Session, reviewed the several
budgets prepared by Superintendent, Stan Kress and District Clerk, Denise
Uhlenkott. The Board reviewed a status quo budget, which would require
an override levy of more than $375,000. However, Superintendent Kress
pointed out that the district lost 47 students this year from the previous
year, and that loss will cost the district 1.7 classroom units of state
funding. This situation, in addition to the already meager state funds
authorized again this year, will create a serious funding issue for the
district. He also reminded the Board that the salary schedules for
all employees have remained frozen the last three years. However, the Legislature
did some weird things with the State Salary Schedules for next year, mandating
a $2,500 raise for new teachers, leaving no money available for experienced
teachers.
Kress offered two alternative budgets: The first, cutting
1 and 2/3rds teachers from the Budget, bringing the budget needs down to
a little more than $305,000. The second alternative budget also cut
20% from the high school; middle school, elementary school and district
office supply budgets bringing the shortfall down to just under $267,000.
When asked, Kress said he was certain he could find a few more small areas
to cut and keep the levy amount the same as last year, namely $263,000.
The Board wants the public to know if the proposed levy of $263,000
is approved, which is the same amount as last year, that things won’t be
the same. One and 2/3rds teachers will be cut from the staff, and
a 20% cut in the Textbooks, Materials and Supply Budgets will mean fewer
resources to meet the new State Standards and the Federal, No Child Left
Behind regulations. However, considering the tough economic times,
the Board approved all of the above cuts and directed that another $4,000
be taken from the budget so that the levy could be kept at $263,000 again
this year.
A Community meeting will be held during May, in addition to informational
articles from the School Board Members, designed to inform the patrons
of their decision, alternatives, and consequences regarding the levy.
In a separate item, Mr. Kress noted several rumors that are circulating
in the District: One, “if things are so tight, where did we get the
money for a new drivers’ ed. car?” Answer: We didn’t buy a
new car. The old car quit running and to continue the program, we
rented a car using the Driver’s Education Funds, which doesn’t come from
local tax dollars. Two, “why is the girl’s softball team traveling
so far?” Answer: Two years ago the team raised a bunch of money
to attend a tournament in Florida, which was never taken due to the terrorist
crisis situation at the time, and they are using those funds to cover expenses
related to softball trips.